Student group sues UMass over speech and rally policies

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AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — A student group at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has sued school officials and trustees over what it says are unconstitutional restrictions on student rallies.

The campus chapter of Young Americans for Liberty and student Nicholas Consolini say in the suit filed Monday in federal court that the university’s rules that limit when and where speeches and rallies can be held violate free speech rights.

The complaint says the university’s right to define what qualifies as a speech or rally is “unreasonable and vague.” Students who violate the policy face punishment.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction preventing enforcement of the policy and unspecified damages.